"This guy can't be serious," Ranch said, befuddled as she watched TV the next day. The muscle-bound tough guy named Mr. Satan was pulling buses and chopping blocks, declaring that Cell was just using parlor tricks and that he'd defeat him.

"Looks serious to me," Trunks said.

"His funeral, then."

Roshi said, "You know, I don't usually mind guests, but don't you two have families you'd rather be spending this time with?"

"We will," Ranch told him. "I'm just waiting for my dad to finish."

Krillin gave them a sly look. "You say that, but I bet you just don't want to be around either of mothers right now. I noticed that you two had damp hair when you got here."

Roshi whacked Krillin on the head with his walking stick. "Even I use more tact than that."

Trunks and Ranch felt themselves grow a bit hot, but Krillin wasn't wrong. The two had met that morning at the hot springs they used to train by, and didn't necessarily train. After they finished and dressed they agreed that they didn't want to deal with the knowing looks and giggles that their homes would provide, and instead went to Kame House.

"Hey, so," Yamcha quickly said to change the subject, "what's the plan for dealing with Cell? Yesterday Krillin and Tien said that Goku wasn't going to train anymore, even though he doesn't think he's strong enough to beat him."

Ranch and Trunks shared a look. "It's true," Trunks confirmed. "Goku said that he'll rest, train for a few days, and then rest again until the fight, but that's it."

Sighing, Ranch said, "I do think he has a point about taking it easy, but I can't just sit back and do nothing. So even if it only helps a little I feel like I should go back into the time chamber—despite the fact that I really don't want to."

"We'll get strong enough that it'll make the time worth it," Trunks assured her.

"I hope so."

"Yeah, but strong enough to take on Cell?" Yamcha asked in a slight panic.

Krillin then said, "Either Goku will pull something out thin air and win, or we'll all doomed. There's no in between so stop worrying."

"He's right," agreed Roshi. "We should just spend the time until then as best we can."

Ranch said, "Yeah, once all this training is over and done with, I'm actually looking forward to just hanging out with my parents."

"Must be nice to have a dad that actually wants to spend time with you," Trunks said. He tried to play it as a joke, but it came out rather bitter.

Giving him a look, Ranch said, "Hey, a while ago I told Krillin here that you would do whatever it took to get to Vegeta. Don't go making me a liar."

"Ranch, you don't even like him," Krillin stated blankly.

She shrugged. "True, but he won over Bulma, so there must be something about the guy."

All of a sudden Goku appeared among them. "What the—? Goku, don't do that!" Yamcha cried.

"Sorry, maybe I should've appeared outside," Goku said apologetically. He was still in his Super Saiyan form, but wearing casual clothes.

"What brings you here?" Roshi asked.

"I came to get Ranch," Goku said. "Raditz is almost done, and I thought she'd like to be there."

"Honestly, I was just planning on seeing him back home, but since you're here…" Ranch stood up and went up to her uncle. "Want to come, Trunks? You can see Vegeta off before he goes."

"Nah, I'm good." But he got back on his feet too. "I'll head back to my mom's. I should keep an eye on that cyborg in case it goes nuts."

"Come on, guys, I keep saying 16 is alright," Krillin said earnestly.

Ignoring him, Ranch said, "See you tomorrow."

"Yup." He kissed her goodbye.

Goku waved goodbye to them, put a hand on his niece's shoulder, and they teleported away. As she was thinking that she'd seen enough of the lookout to last her a lifetime, Ranch spotted Vegeta pacing around angrily. His eyes locked on the new arrivals and stormed up to them.

"Do you know how much of my time that father of yours wasted, girl?" Vegeta said harshly.

"A literal day," she said passively. "Who cares? You'd only be able to stay a year in the chamber either way."

"That isn't the point. You all knew that I was supposed to be next."

"Come on, Vegeta, just relax," Goku said pleasantly. "We're all waiting the same amount of time."

"And besides, if it was anyone's turn it was Piccolo's. He was just gracious enough to invite my dad along."

Vegeta glared at her. "You must really enjoy testing my patience."

Ranch knew from prior experience that it was best to keep her mouth shut to avoid trouble with Vegeta…but she didn't want to. She smirked, and replied, "You're right, I do."

Advancing on her, he said dangerously, "Maybe I should beat some sense into you."

Ranch cracked her knuckles and grinned devilishly down at him. "Bring it, half-pint."

"Hey, hold on!" Goku said, hastily getting between them. "This isn't—"

"Quiet, Kakarot, this is between me and my son's poor excuse for a concubine."

"Yup, I'm punching you." Wearing sneakers, a blouse, skirt, and cardigan, Ranch wasn't exactly dressed for the occasion but she didn't care. "Let's take this to the ground."

"Fine with me."

Goku tried saying, "But—"

Ranch handed her cardigan to Goku. "Mind holding this for me? Thanks."

Vegeta and Ranch rose to the air and flew down the lookout with Goku not far behind. "Ranch, I'm all for a good fight and everything, but this doesn't seem like the time or place."

"Come on, Uncle Goku, my dad and Trunks fought Vegeta. I'll feel left out if I don't take a turn."

"If you really want to, then okay," Goku consented. When they reached the treetops below, Goku gave them space as he added, "Just make sure to save some for Cell."

Ranch and Vegeta went Super Saiyan at the same time, and immediately charged in. Their collision sent a powerful shockwave that reverberated throughout the forest.

But neither of their punches managed to land, as they both caught the other's fist with their free hand. Neither surrendered the hold that they had on the other, nor did they stop trying to push forward their punch. They both ended up yelling and powering up, and their auras engulfing everything around them. Suddenly Vegeta closed the gap and head-butted Ranch, sending her reeling back. Before she was pushed off, she unraveled her tail and grabbed Vegeta by his ankle. She used it to pull him to get him off balance, and then landed a drop kick that sent him to the ground.

In the cloud of debris that was kicked up, Ranch didn't see that Vegeta had immediately gotten back up, and flew right back up at her. As a result he managed to suddenly reappear and rammed right into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. Taking advantage of her weakened state, Vegeta got behind Ranch and grabbed her tail, using it to swing her around and throw her. He sent her crashing through tree after tree, hitting the ground, and creating a trench before coming to a stop.

She saw Vegeta fly in at her, and when he tried to punch, Ranch blocked it, the impact of which created a crater around them. She pushed him off, charged in, and the two began zipping around up in the air trading blows. No matter how many times and how hard they got hit, though, neither relented. Fists, elbows, feet, and knees were nothing but blurs.

Goku, in the meanwhile, hung back and had a smile on his face upon seeing just how strong Ranch had gotten. Ranch and Vegeta finally separated, both catching their breath and glaring at one another.

Vegeta then put his hands together and twisted his body. "Galick Gun…"

Ranch threw both her palms forward. "Double…"

"Fire!"

"Sunday!"

Both beams collided in midair. During Ranch's year with Raditz, he had managed to help her master the technique. At first Ranch seemed to be winning the exchange, because she was putting just about all she had into the attack, while Vegeta underestimated her and didn't. But Vegeta quickly realized his lapse in judgment, and began pouring out more of his energy. When they were about equal, it turned into a back and forth, as both sides put out more and more to keep up and not get overtaken.

Despite her boasting, Ranch knew that Vegeta wasn't an opponent to be taken lightly. But at the same time she was determined to both knock him down a few pegs, and also make him realize that she wasn't to be messed with, either—even if he'd never admit it. The two kept up with each other, as their beams became bigger and more powerful. Eventually Ranch realized just how much damage both their attacks could do, and started to think of a way to get out of it.

But then suddenly a new power appeared, and the large ball of combined energy was sent flying into the sky, where it disappeared from sight. Ranch and Vegeta both stopped, wondering what just happened, when Raditz was suddenly before them in Super Saiyan grade 2 and looking incensed.

"WHAT THE HELL, VEGETA! DID YOU THINK I'D JUST LET YOU GET AWAY WITH BEATING ON MY CHILD?" Raditz bellowed with deadly anger.

"Raditz!" Piccolo cried, appearing over them. "Remember your training!"

"This is different, Piccolo! Stay out of this!"

Getting over her surprise, Ranch got in front of her father, and spread her arms out to block his way. "No, dad, you stay out of this. This is between me and Vegeta," she said in a surprisingly calm tone.

Taken back, Raditz said, "Sweetheart, if you think I'm just going to stand by and—"

"Don't 'sweetheart' me," she cut in. Ranch flew in closer so that she was face-to-face with her father. The glare that she gave him was so much like her mother's that Raditz lost his composure. "Are you deaf? I said that this was between me and Vegeta, and I meant it. Don't. Butt. In."

Raditz powered down to his base form, saying, "You can't expect me to find Vegeta fighting you and do nothing."

Ranch sighed in exasperation, and turned to look at Vegeta, asking him, "So you want to keep going, or get into the chamber?"

Vegeta, who had actually watched the exchange with amusement, scoffed at her. "And why would I choose to continue wasting my time with you?" Without another word, he flew back up towards the top to the lookout.

Powering down and rubbing a large bruise on her arm, Ranch muttered, "Prick. Oh well, at least I got to get in some good hits."

Taking in her injuries, Raditz grew infuriated again and took it out on his brother, telling him, "What the hell is wrong with you, Kakarot? You're strong enough to have easily put a stop to this!"

Goku scratched his head. "I told them it wasn't the best idea, but Ranch was determined. Who was I to get in the way?"

"Her uncle, you imbecile!"